Police say Pelham man admits to attack they didn't know about

PELHAM -- A 57-year-old Pelham man is facing major felony charges, after he appeared at the police station on Friday to turn himself in for an assault that police were not aware had occurred.

Police say Dennis Lozeau appeared in the station Friday about 4:25 p.m., and told officers he wanted to turn himself in for attempted murder.

Police say Lozeau was not a suspect in any crimes. But he proceeded to tell officers he tried to attack his 65-year-old sister with a machete inside a home in Pelham on Feb. 20, police said in a release.

Police investigated, and say they determined Lozeau had assaulted his sister, and that his 29-year-old niece intervened and got the machete away from Lozeau at the time, suffering a bruised arm.

The niece did not seek medical treatment.

Police were not notified of the incident until Lozeau appeared in the station.

"Officers were able to confirm that the incident did take place and that all the people involved were okay and safe," police wrote in a prepared statement. "The fight allegedly occurred because Lozeau overheard his sister talking about his employment status. Alcohol is also believed to have played a factor in the incident."

Lozeau was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree assault. He faces up to 15 years in prison on each count, if convicted.

Lozeau declined to seek bail, and will be held until Monday, when he will be arraigned in Salem District Court.